Welcome to the Aerospace Futures Alliance of Washington

The AFA is thrilled to announce the inclusion of $600,000 for the Washington Aerospace Center in the appropriations bill passed by the United States House of Representatives in December. The AFA applauds the leadership of US Rep. Jay Inslee and hard work of Rep. Rick Larsen and Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell in securing this funding. The funding will allow the purchase of new equipment and elevate its' training program. "Washington State is leading the world in aerospace and that is due in large part to the skilled and knowledgeable workforce we can deploy," said Rep. Inslee. "Congressman Larsen, Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell and I all recognized the tremendous benefits this important funding will have on maintaining our workforce advantage in the years to come." First Steps: These investments in the Washington Aerospace Center are huge first steps as we look to remain competitive in the world's aerospace industry. The Washington Aerospace Center will be an integrated research and training hub for Washington's aerospace industry and its' workers. The AFA anticipates another funding announcement in the near future and is seeking state funding through the Washington Legislature to further support the Center and training needs in Spokane.

Construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of January with limited classes available as early as February. The grand opening will be in March, 2010 and we look forward to sharing this exciting event with our members and supporters.

The Washington state legislature convened on Monday, January 11th for its annual 60-day session. The Governor and Legislature face a record $2.6 billion state deficit that will impact budget and policy decisions. The AFA will be working hard with our members and the business community to advance issues imperative to sustaining and growing Washington's aerospace industry.

AFA 2010 Legislative Agenda

Reform Workers' Compensation: The AFA is joining Washington businesses to urge the Governor and the Legislature to fix our workers' compensation system and make it more competitive with other states. In Washington, the average injured worker with a time-loss claim misses 266 days of work - nearly twice the national average. Oregon's average time loss rate is about 70 days. Washington's claims are down but costs are skyrocketing. Since 1990, claims have dropped 52% but workers' compensation tax rates are more than 50% higher than they were ten years ago. The Departments' administrative costs have increased 82% from 1999 to 2009. Washington has the second-highest cost per employee in the nation, provides the second-highest benefit package in the country and prohibits common claims resolution methods. Further Washington is one of only four states with a government monopoly that forbids private competition for industrial insurance coverage. While other states are decreasing workers' compensation taxes, L&I has proposed a 7.6% hike in workers' comp taxes for 2010. Washington must be more competitive by reducing costs without taking away important benefits to injured workers. Specifically, the AFA supports:

• Creation of a Settlement Option that allows workers, employers and L&I the option to settle and release claims for a lump sum.
• Revision of Washington's Definition of Occupational Disease to exclude conditions that are not work-related.
• Establishing Medical Provider Networks to provide injured workers access to medical providers trained and experienced with treating particular conditions - as is the practice in 42 other states.

Training Dollars for Aerospace Training Center: The AFA will coordinate with Spokane to support a $2 million appropriation dedicated to the Aerospace Training Center and training facility needs in Spokane. The AFA is currently working with legislators to draft the necessary legislation and will keep members apprised as it is completed.

Extend Tax Incentive FAR 145 to 2024: The AFA strongly supports extending the reduction of the B&O tax reduction incentive for Part 145 Repair Stations to July 1, 2024 consistent with all other aerospace incentives. In 2008 the legislature extended the existing package of aerospace incentives to those companies in the Part 145 business. Current Department of Revenue data indicates that 38 of the 115 companies have taken some form of the incentive package. We need to make sure we are doing all we can to maintain and preserve the incentives package for our FAR 145 Repair stations to continue economic growth.

Oppose Worker's Privacy: The AFA continues to oppose Workers Privacy as proposed during the 2009 session. While it has been reported that there will not be similar legislation again this year, the AFA will monitor this issue and oppose if it is again introduced.

Maintain 2009 UI Legislation: The AFA will join the business community in efforts to maintain the 2009 legislative changes made to Washington's UI system that addressed voluntary quits and the multiplier.

Maintain All Tax Incentives for Aerospace: These tax incentives are crucial to maintain and grow Washington's aerospace industry. The AFA will monitor legislative tax activity and strongly support maintaining these incentives.

Build Tanker in Washington: The AFA joins efforts to support the tanker being built in Washington State.

Snohomish County's Aerospace Innovation Partnership Zone will receive a $250,000 capital improvement grant for the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center, located at Paine Field Airport. The funding comes alongside another $600,000 announced last month by Gov. Chris Gregoire to fund equipment and curriculum at the Paine Field center and its counterpart in Spokane. "This facility will provide training for the more than 650 companies that make up our state's aerospace industry," said Linda Lanham, executive director of the Aerospace Futures Alliance (AFA), a key partner in the success of the training and research center. "I'm thankful to the state Department of Commerce for this grant. It's a great start."

The Training Center will serve as a hub in support of Washington state's aerospace industry which contributes $36 billion annually to the state economy and represents nearly 1/6th of Washington's Gross Domestic Product. "Continuing to train the next generation of aerospace workers in Washington will ensure the expansion of our state's aerospace industry, which already provides tens of thousands of jobs," said Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon.

On Thursday, October 15th, Governor Gregoire announced $1.5 million in new, one-time federal funding for aerospace training, including $600,000 for the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center. This is a huge step toward meeting the training needs of our industry. If you would like to participate either by becoming a part of the Center's Advisory Board or by sharing concerns or ideas regarding training please contact Linda Lanham, Executive Director, at Lindal@afa-wa.com.

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